Calling all groups, individuals, families. Join Trident Ploughshares and many other groups for the final day in the June 2016 month of direct action at AWE Burghfield.
This month of protests has seen the construction site entrance to this nuclear weapons factory fairly continuously blockaded round the clock and numerous colourful demonstrations simultaneously taking place at The Mearings entrance to the site.
All construction traffic to AWE Burghfield has been blocked since the 1st week in June.
The end of this month of actions will lead into more protest and resistance to the renewal of Trident as the government’s formal announcement that it will renew/upgrade the UK’s nuclear weapons system, is made. There may or may not be a vote in parliament before the announcement.
As the projected cost of the next generation of nuclear weapons passes £200, 000, 000, 000, all of our vital public services are losing funding to pay for the illegal, immoral, uselss nuclear weapons which are already obsolete, and an enormous factor in causing environmental damage and climate change.
From 7.00am on 30th June (also fine to arrive anytime through the day and make your own way around the fences), people who have taken part in this month of protest will return to the perimeter fence of AWE Burghfield, together with as many other people who can make it, to stretch a continuous Red Line around the site. Wear red, bring strips of red fabric or anything else red that can join the line. Bring strips of fabric with curtain hooks on it to hang on the fence – being narrow weldmesh the fence can be awkward to tie things to. We intend to attach a large red cross to each fence panel, but whatever goes on the fence should be easily removed if you want to be sure of avoiding charges by the MoD police who have made complaints to protesters hanging banners on the fence and threatened people with a summons for a Byelaws offence if they don’t comply. We believe Mod police are misusing the law – but forewarned etc. – see our ‘Legal Advice re Byelaws & putting things on the fence at AWE Burghfield’ document: https://tridentploughshares.org/putting-things-on-the-fence-at-awe-burghfield-ministry-of-defence-byelaws/
Burghfield parking can be difficult close to the site. Our advice is, get to Reading bus station and get on a No.2 or 2A bus…….which stops at several places on the road around AWE Burghfield – Amners Farm Road, The Mearings, Church Lane. If coming by car, minibus etc. you will find parking some distance from the site and have to walk up to a mile back to the site. Reading Motorway services charge £15 for up to 24 hours parking.
Maps & pics, here: https://tridentploughshares.org/maps-pics-of-awe-burghfield/
Link to full June 2016 briefing, here: https://tridentploughshares.org/june-2016-briefing-materials-index/
A printable Bust Card for The Grand Finale – 30th June AWE Burghfield is here – useful for Legal Observer, Legal Support etc. phone numbers: https://tridentploughshares.org/bust-card-for-the-grand-finale-30th-june-awe-burghfield/
Loos – behind a bush – motorway services or camping loo (if you bring one).
Bring food & drink, sun or rain protection.
ID and written emergency contact details/instructions for what should happen in case of arrest/accident/illness etc. as you need.
Transport & driver will be available to pick up anyone who gets arrested and/or taken to a police station. We don’t expect arrests……but best laid plans and all that…
The Trident renewal program will willfully squander money, resources, and energy, which should be used for the common good. We can stop it now. We can make The Grand Finale to the June 2016 month of actions a very special and memorable day and a catalyst for the resistance needed ahead of government’s intended Trident renewal declaration.
Meet 7.00am (or just drop in and walk round the perimeter at anytime) at the junction of Reading Road & The Mearings RG30 3RJ on the west of AWE Burghfield or near the Construction Gate on Burnthouse Lane.
Bring banners, flags, noise & music and your strips of red material to make Xs for the fence.
We have red paper overalls for
you at the 2 meeting places if you have nothing red to wear!